Evolution / Genetics

German project to cover Verona's Roman Amphitheatre

A group of German firms has won the international competition for ideas to cover Verona's ancient Roman Amphitheatre when it rains.

Aerial view of Verona's Roman Amphitheatre [Credit: ANSA]

The RTI, SBP & GMP companies from Stuttgart and Berlin came up with a structure that can stretch canvas over the Amphitheatre and then be folded back to one side when no longer needed.

Rendering of the project that won first prize at the competition for the Verona Amphitheatre[Credit: StudioRTI SBP and GMP Stuttgart/Berlin]

Mayor Flavio Tosi said that the "cover will be in place" in three years with the necessary will if all the green lights come through. The next moves will be by the superintendency and the culture ministry.

Rendering of the project that won first prize at the competition for the Verona Amphitheatre[Credit: StudioRTI SBP and GMP Stuttgart/Berlin]

At a presentation of the top three projects in Milan on Tuesday, Tosi said the aim was not to keep the rain off the audience during opera performances and concerts, but to protect the monument.

The work involves the folding of the roof cover (about 12 thousand
square meters) on one side. The fabric will be hidden under the cover
ring when it is not required [Credit: StudioRTI SBP and GMP Stuttgart/Berlin]

"Rain is its main enemy," he said. "It digs down and causes collapses. Just look at what happened at Pompeii," he added, referring to a wall that collapsed at the ancient Roman city near Naples last week.

The Verona Amphitheatre [Credit: ANSA]

The international competition for the Amphitheatre's cover was funded by Calzedonia, an Italian fashion firm specialised in socks, underwear and swimwear.